Deshaun Watson May Have Gotten Screwed With Future Texans Contract After 2021 Salary Cap Update
By Jerry Trotta
Just when you think that Bill O'Brien and the Houston Texans were preparing to do right by quarterback Deshaun Watson, the NFL was dealt troublesome news regarding its salary cap for the 2021 season.
If games are played without fans -- at this rate, it looks like that will be the case -- the league could lose billions. Per the latest buzz, that could see the cap take a hit between $30 million and $80 million.
That doesn't bode well for Watson, who is poised to become one of the highest-paid gunslingers in the NFL.
? Adam Schefter pointed out that if the NFL does in fact lose billions in revenue in the coming season, the 2021 salary cap will drop. ?
— The Big Lead (@thebiglead) May 6, 2020
A lot. ?https://t.co/AyQpvHGvxj
That Texans would likely be able to get by if the cap were to take such a gargantuan hit. However, it could derail any extension plans the franchise had for Watson in the near term. Per ESPN insider Ed Werder, Houston has engaged in "very preliminary" discussions with the 24-year-old superstar.
While Houston could still sign Watson this offseason, there's almost no chance that the offer will be as lucrative as anticipated before this cap update. Why would the Texans go out of the way to cripple themselves financially and why would Watson sign a deal that doesn't match his maximum worth? For those curious, anything under $30 million would be well below his overall value. The Clemson product is miles better than Kirk Cousins and Jared Goff, who are pocketing $33 million and $33.5 million annually, respectively.
The quarterback market could even be reset if players like Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott ink extensions before Watson.
Source: The #Texans have engaged in “very preliminary“ discussions with QB Deshaun Watson on a potential contract extension. With Laremy Tunsil’s contract complete, Watson is the next priority. The is team hoping to reach an agreement before the start of the season.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) April 24, 2020
Just when you think things are looking bright in regards to Watson's future in H-Town, news like this breaks and brings both sides pretty much back to square one in contract negotiations.